Cash fare box



Oct. 9, 1934. P. FRANKFORD 1,976,550

' CASH FARE BOX Filed June 17. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l 621. *Iii* I I s l l g l s w muil INVENTOR FRANK l. FRANK/*ORD BY (i ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN'roR d A'rroRN EYs F. P. FRANKFORD CASH FARE BOX Filed June 17. 1952 Oct. 9, 1934.

y FRANK F. FRANKFR Oct. 9, 1934.

F. P. FRANKFORD 1,976,550

CASH FARE BOX Filed June 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FRANK R FRA/Krom ATTORN EYS Oct. '9, 1934.y I P1P. FRANKFORD 1,976,550

CASH FARE BOX Filed June 17. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmilw al4a FRANK R FRANKFURD ATTORN EYS INVENToR y'10 small cost.

Patented Oct. 9, 1934 NuNrrlezD STATI-:s PATENT ori-FICE -CASH FARE BOX y Frank P. Frankford, Ridgefield Park, N. J.

Application June 17, 1932, Serial No. 617,769

49 Claims. (Cl. 23S-32) This invention relates to improvements in cash fare boxes adapted to receivel and register paid admissions. While not limited thereto, the emb'odiment of the invention lillustrated is well suited for the registering of bus, street car or railroad fares. The invention aimsI to provide a device of this character which is simple in its design and arrangement, so that it can be manufactured at This is important with registers Whichare to be used'on motor buses or the like which operate in large fleets.

`-The improved device includes a coin actuated driving member which is Veffective to 15. selectively actuate one of af plurality of counters each time a cash faref'is `inserted 'in the box. Means are also provided whereby the coins inserted iny the cash boxk cannot be released until the appropriate counter for registering such coin has been actuated.

The device also aims to provide a mechanism which is so arranged that in the event that anyone attempts to render the registering mechanism noperative such for example by inserting wires or slugs in the machine?, a signal will be displayed indicating that the device is out of order. A further distinctive feature of the invention relates to the coin receiverv having a slotted opening, closed by a flared, tapered or rounded plug which 3Q is adapted to be lifted merely by an upward pressure so as to releasethe coins directly into the palm .of the operators hand. v

"Ehe above and further characteristics of the invention will be fully apparent from the follow- 35. ing specication when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a Vertical section through a registering cash box 4embodying my invention;

Fig2 is asection on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;.

Fig. 2a is an enlarged detail view of one of the elements shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is asectionon line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing l certain of the parts in the position they assume when a coin of one denomination is inserted; p

Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views showing certain positions assumed by said parts when a coin of V 50` another denomination is inserted;

'.7 is a perspective view of the fare box; Figf is a vView similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modication; g I y Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the ob- 55, verseside oi the device illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the 'parts in another position;

Figs. 11 and 12 are similar views showing the positions *of certain of the parts when coins of another denomination are inserted;

Fig. 13 is a section on line 1313 of Fig. 8.

` Referring'first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to '7 inclusive, 10 represents the outer casing or shell of the cash fare box. vThis has a slot 12 formed therein through which cash `fares of diiierent denomination are adapted to be inserted. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, it is adapted toA receive and register five and ten cent fares, referred to as nickels and dimes hereinafter, although of course Vthe invention is not limited thereto.

Each time a coin is inserted through the slot 12, the driving member 14 is rocked about 'its pivot 16. 'Ihis driving member carries a roller 18 and a similar roller 20 is supported between the plates 22-22 forming part of the interior frame structure of the device.

Near its outer extremity, the driving member 14 carries alaterally projecting pin 24, which when a nickel is inserted in the machine, as indicated in Fig. 4, strikes the free end of a lever 26 pivoted at 28 to one of the side plates 12. This lever is connected by a link 30 tothe operating arm 32 of a counter or register 34, which is adapted to register each nickel inserted through the slot 12 of the fare box. The arm 32 has secured thereto a iiexible wire extension 36 carrying a striker 38 for coaction with the bell 40.

The counter driving member 14 has a down- 90 wardly extending finger 42 which is adapted to prevent coins from being released through a coin outlet 44 to a coin receiver 46 until after the appropriate register has been actuated. As illustrated in Fig. 4, when a nickel is inserted in the cash box the linger 42 will prevent the downward movement of the nickel illustrated at N in dotted lines. When the member 14 moves upwardlyunder the iniiuence of the leafspring 48, the ringer 42 will be moved to the position of Fig. 1, Whereupon the nickel can drop into the coin receiver 46. The linger 42, at this time in combination with the plates and 52, denes the boundaries of the coin slot, indicated generally at 54.

The location of the rollers 18 and 20 with respect to the slot 12 and the depressed part of the casing in the Zone of lsaid slot is such that it is practically impossible fora person to wedge a coin so that it will stick in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, because as the center of the coin passes the dead center between the rollers 18 and 20, the spring 48 will tend to rock the member 14 on its pivot 16, thus giving the coin a downward impetus. But, in the event that an operator should try to insert a wire or employ other expedients in an attempt to prevent the registering of fares, this fact would be indicated. To this end, I provide the ,casing Vwith a transparent window 56, behind which therelis -a vertically movable plate 58 carrying two signs 60 and 62 having the lettering thereon Out of Order. This plate is secured to the upper endV of a vertically movable bar 64 which is slidable in guide brackets 66 carried by one of the frame plates 12. The bar 64 has a laterally extending pin 68 which is adapted to be struck by the outer end 70 of a lever` '72, which is pivoted at 74.

This lever has a tail 76 arranged to be engaged by a pin 78 secured to the outer extremity of ythe operating member 14. Thus, if unscrupulous persons tamper with the machine in an attempt to hold the parts in the position of Fig. 4, the pin 78 in coaction with the lever '70, will hold the out of order sign 60 in an exposed position in front of the window 56, therefore giving notice that the machine has been tampered with. Similarly, if one attempts for example to insert a gummed or sticky dime in the machine, or to otherwise jamb the driving member 14 in the position it assumes when a dime is inserted, the sign 62, reading out of order will be exposed, as indicated in Fig. 5.

When a nickel is inserted in the fare box, the maximum movement of the driving member 14 about its pivot 16 is secured and as the driving member 14 moves from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 4 and then back to the position of Fig. 1, the nickel counter 34 will be advanced one step.

There isV another counter 80 which is adapted for registering dimes insertedin-the fare box. This counter is operated by the same driving member 14 which actuates the nickel counter 34 and selecting means are provided so that said driving member 14 will be effective to register dimes on the dime register 80 only when dimes are inserted and not when nickels are inserted. To this end, the driving member 14 is provided with an enlarged portion 82 having a V-shaped slot 84 therein, in which rides a roller, indicated as a whole at 86. This roller has an extended stud portion 88 which is adapted to engage the notch 90 formed in the end of the depending link 92 which is pivotally secured at 94 to the dime counter actuating arm 96. The roller 86 has a portion 98 which rides on the wall of the slot 84 and this roller also has another portion 100, of larger diameter.

Portion 100 is adapted to coact with 'a fixed cam 102 andl also with the surface 104 of the cutout formed in plate 106.

When a dime is inserted in the box, the member 14 is rocked from the position of Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 5.

This moves the roller 86 up the incline in the V-shaped slot 84, at this time the portion 100 of the roller engages the surface of the fixed cam 102. The roller is thus positioned below the notch 90 of the depending link 92. As the center of the dime passes the dead center between the rollers 18 and 20, the spring k48 will move the operating member 14 upwardly to the position of Fig. 6. This will elevate the lever 96 to the position shown in Fig.

6, thus advancing the counter one unit. .A If adime is again inserted, the operating member 14 will be again moved to the position of Fig. 5 and after the dime falls into the slot 54 the lever 14 will return to the position of Fig. 6, thus again registering the fare on the counter 80.

However, if after the registering of a dime, a nickel is inserted in the slot, means are provided for preventing the nickel from actuating the dime counter 80. This of course is necessary because both the nickel and dime counters are actuated by the single driving member 14. Assuming that a nickel is inserted following the insertion of the dime, the lever 14 will be moved from the position of Fig. 6 to the position of Fig. 4. Thus, the roller 86 will roll down the V-shaped slot 84 to such 90 position that upon the upward stroke of the member 14 under influence of the spring 48, the surface 100 or" the roller 84 will strike the left side of the cam 102. This continued upward movement of the lever 14 will cause the roller 86 to 95 travel to the left in slot 84 under the iniluence oi cam 102.l

As the drive lever 14 reaches its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 1, the roller 86 will ride down the left hand side of the V-shaped 100 slot 84 until the portion 88 thereof strikes against the left edge oi the link 92. Thus, the roller will be properly positioned in the crotch of the slot so that in the event that a dime is inserted the v surface 100 of the roller will strike the right side 105 of the fixed cam 102 and continued downward movement of the lever 14 will cause the extremity 88 or the roller to ride to the right, for example, to the position illustrated in Fig. 5, for reengagement with-the notch 90 and the link 92. This link 92 has secured to its extremity a spring wire extension 108, the end of which bears against the right hand surface of the slot 104 formed in the plate 106. The dime counter actuating arm 96 has secured thereto a flexible wire extension 97 to the end of which is fastened a striker 99 for coaction with the bell 40 so that each time a dime is registered this bell may be sounded.

The innerplates 106 and 52 and the outer plates 22--22 areY secured together by suitable screws 110 and this built-up plate structure is in turn secured tothe base'plate 112 by suitable angle brackets 114. The counters 34 and 80 are supported above the plate structure on a horizontal shelf 116 which is tted in dove-tailed slot as indicated at 118 formed in the plates 22--22. The shelf 116 being soldered, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the plate 106. The casing 10 is apertured at 120 at points above each of the counters 80 and 34 so as to permit readings to be readily taken.

Heretofore, fare registers have usually been provided with a hand crank which must be repeatedly turned for the purpose of actuating certain mechanism for registering the fares received and also for releasing the coins. This is a slow and cumbersome operation. It will be clear from the above that the cash box of my invention makes it unnecessary for the operator to actuate mechanism for the purpose of registering the fares, it being apparent that coins of diiTerent dimensions will selectively actuate the proper one of a plurality of counters, this plurality of counters being adapted to be actuated by one single driving member.

My fare box is also provided with means for easily and quickly releasing the money from the coin receiver. In the embodiment of the invention shown, this coin receiver indicated generally at 46 is in the form of a glass casing fitted at the 150 top to a langedring 122 and at the bottom t0 a similar fring 124, l'I'hese rings are secured by long bolts 126with the base plate 112 of the fare box. The bottom ring 124 is formed with a flared opening 128 which isrnormally closed by a ared' or tapered plug 130. This plug has a downward extension 132. The money falling from the slot '54 through the outlet opening 44 into the coin receiver 46 is normally held in receiverby the plug 130 which has suiiicientweight to keep properly seated against the flared opening 128. Howeveigwher it is desired to release the `money for the purpose of making change; the operator merely has to press upwardly on the projection 132 with his iingers or with the palm of his hand, whereupon the money will drop into his hand. This facilitates change makingand is a much quicker operationthan `that which is secured by devices heretofore used, which require that the operator repeatedly turn a handle in order to release the money.

In Figs. Sto 12 inclusive, I have illustrated a modification of the invention, which in many respects is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 7. The corresponding parts have been similarly numbered and a further detailed description is unnecessary. The chief diierence in this modication is that the operating member 14EL has a straight slot 84a therein for coaction with roller CJR 86a. This roller is arranged on its upstroke to strike a vertically movable rod 92e, which engages the dime actuating lever 96a. On the down stroke of the operating member 14Zt the roller 86a strikes a cam 102e. This cam 102e, is pivoted on a short shaft 134 and the spring 136 (Fig. 9) is attached to an arm 138 carried by shaft 134 and this spring' normally tends to hold the cam 102a in the position shown in Fig. 8. In registering dimes, the

roller 86e rides on the upper surface of the cam 102 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to approximately the position shown in Fig. 11. On the upstroke of the lever 14a, the roller strikes the lower end of the member 92a and thus actuates the dime y register 80. When a nickel is inserted, the memupstroke.

Fig. 8 shows the guide member 14a in its normal inactive position.

Fig. 10 illustrates the position of the parts when a nickel has caused the driving member 14a to go to the limit or its downward stroke.

Fig. 11 shows the limit of the downward stroke of the driving member 14a when a dime is inserted.

Fig. 12 illustrates the position of the parts when the roller is actuating the dime register, upon the completion of the upstroke of the driving member 14a.

In this modication of Figs. 8 to l2 inclusive, the out of order signal is actuated by a pin 78 striking the end 'I6a of a lever pivoted at 74a, the other end of this lever being connected by a link to the lower end of slidable bar 64 which moves the out of order sign 58.

While I have described quite specifically the details of the embodiment of the invention herein Y. illustrated it is not to be construed that I am f limited thereto since various modifications and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the rinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim iszy 1. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the number of coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in the box, respective actuating means for each counter, a single counter driving member common to a plurality of said actuating means, said member having a slotted portion, movable means carried by said driving member and shiftable along said slotted portion for selective engagement with one of said actuating means, and means for moving said movable means to a position for non-engagement with said one actuating means when a coin of a predetermined denomination is inserted in the box, coin engaging means secured to said driving member and a fixed member against which a coin reacts when engaged with said coin engaging means.

2. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the number of coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in the box, respective actuating means for each counter, a single coin actuated counter driving member common to a plurality of said actuating means, said member having a slotted portion, movable means carried by said driving meL ber and shiftable along the slotted portion thereof 108 for selective engagement with one of said actuating means, and means for moving said movable means to a position for non-engagement with said one actuating means when a coinref a predetermined denomination is inserted in the box.

3. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the number of coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in the box, respective actuating means for each counter, a single coin actuated counter driving 115 member common to a plurality of said actuating means, movable means carried by said driving member for selectively engaging one of said actuating means, and means for moving said movable means to a position for non-engagement with said 120 one actuating means when a coin of a predetermined denomination is inserted in the box, said coin actuated member having means for preventing the release of each coin until after the appropriate counter has been actuated.

4. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the number of coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in the box, respective actuating means for each counter, a single counter driving member common to a plurality of said actuating means, movable means carried by said driving member for selectively engaging one of said actuating means, means for moving said movable means to a position for non-engagement with said one actuating means when a coin of a predetermined denomination is inserted in the box, and an out of order signal operatively associated with said driving member adapted to be exposed to view when the driving member is held in the positions which it 140 assumes at the limits of its counter actuating movements.

5. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the number of coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in the box, a single coin actuated driving member adapted to selectively actuate different counters, a coin outlet and a coin guiding finger secured to and movable in unison with said driving member effective to prevent the re- 150 lease of coins to said outlet until the appropriate counter has been actuated. g f

6. A registering cash box comprising a plurality of counters, each adapted to register the numberof coins of Aa predetermined denomination inserted in the box, respective actuating means for each counter,I a pivotallyV mounted driving member adapted to bevrocked by each coin inserted in the boX,rsaid driving member having a slotted portion, shiftablemeans coacting with said slotted portion and with one of said counter actuating means, and a. cam for moving the shiftable means relatively to said driving member to a position to avoid engagement with said one counter actuating means after` said driving member has rocked through a predetermined distance. Y ,n Y

7. A registering cash fare box comprising a pair of counters, each adapted to register the receipt of coins of a predetermineddenomination, respective actuating means for each counter, a single coin actuated driving member adapted to transmit movement toV one or the other of said actuating means each time a coin is inserted in the box, a coin receiver, and a coin guide including a nger secured to said driving member and arranged to prevent the passage of each coin to said receiver until after the respective counter has been actuated.

, 8L In a device of the character described, a transparent shell-like receiver having a bottom discharge opening and a tapered plug normally closing said opening and having a projection extending below the lower extremity of said receiver and adapted to be elevated by an operator to discharge the coins directly into the palm of his hand.

9. In a device of the class described a coin receiver including a transparent shell having a bottom member formed With an annular flared coin outlet member, a ilared plug normally held by its own Weight in closed engagement with said outlet member and adapted When lifted to release the coins directly into the palm of the hand ofk an operator.

FRANK P. FRANKFORD. 

